Giustiniani Palace

The Palazzo Giustiniani, located in the heart of Rome on Via della Dogana Vecchia, is an architectural and historical gem that has undergone centuries of transformations and has hosted nationally relevant events. Its construction began in 1585 at the behest of Monsignor Francesco Vento and was probably designed by the brothers Giovanni and Domenico Fontana. In 1590, the building was purchased by the Giustiniani family, who came from Genoa after the loss of the island of Chios due to the Turkish conquest. The family expanded the palace, also utilizing the talent of Francesco Borromini, although the work was completed after his death under the direction of Sebastiano Fonti and Domenico Legendre. A highlight of the history of the Palazzo Giustiniani is its exceptional art collection, gathered by Marquis Vincenzo Giustiniani. This included over 1600 pieces of ancient sculptures and works by masters such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Giorgione, and Titian. A notable work was the statue of Minerva Giustiniani, a Roman copy from the 2nd century AD, which fascinated Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during his trip to Italy in 1787. Unfortunately, during the 19th century, the collection was dispersed due to sales and looting, and the statue of Minerva was eventually purchased by the Vatican Museums. Another prominent area of the palace is the Zuccari Hall, located on the first floor and entirely decorated with frescoes. Originally attributed to Federico Zuccari, recent studies indicate that the frescoes are the work of Antonio Tempesta and Pietro Paolo Bonzi. The hall, used for conferences and exhibitions, is decorated with stories from the life of Solomon and representations of the four virtues attributed to him. The decorations also include seventeenth-century tapestries, made in the Medici tapestry workshops and recently restored. During the period of the Giustiniani family, the palace became a center of culture and collecting. Marquis Vincenzo, in particular, was a passionate patron who helped transform the palace into a living art gallery. After various changes of ownership, in 1898 the palace was rented to the “Grand Orient of Italy” of Freemasonry and, in 1926, it was granted to the Senate of the Italian Republic. The Palazzo Giustiniani also has particular importance in recent Italian history. After June 2, 1946, it was the seat of the Provisional Head of State, Enrico De Nicola, and in the palace library, on December 27, 1947, the Constitution of the Italian Republic was signed. Today, the palace is the seat of the Senate Presidency and houses various institutional offices, as well as being a place of representation. From an architectural point of view, the palace preserves elements of great value, such as the inner courtyard where reliefs and sculptures from the Giustiniani collection are displayed. The atrium and courtyard were renovated in 1678 under the direction of Domenico Legendre, who placed the artworks in a way to create a museum path within the palace itself. The architectural complex of the palace also includes remains of the ancient Neronian Baths, confirmed by excavations carried out under the building.